Synergy: Eggs

EGGS are roundish objects usually containing a developing embryo. Laid by female creatures such as birds, reptiles, fish, or invertebrates, eggs may be covered with a hard or leathery shell. When the creature is ready to survive on its own, it hatches.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book for children, then learn more at the websites:

WHOSE EGG IS THAT? written by Darrin Lunde and illustrated by Kelsey Oseid is a picture book for young learners. Part of the Whose is That? Series, the book provides visual hints to spark inquiries into animals, eggs and their habitats. The simple text and illustrations will appeal to young learners and focus their attention on the seven interactive guessing games. ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge, and imprint of Penguin Random House.

KIDS LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS THAT HATCH is a short video with a game component that reviews animals that hatch.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/vq8-wqGYve0.

FROM EGG TO ANIMAL is a short, easy to read article from Time for Kids exploring animals that hatch from eggs.

To read the article, go to https://www.timeforkids.com/k1/from-egg-to-animal/?rl=en-650.

AT RISK ANIMALS AND THEIR UNUSUAL EGGS is an article from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service about different types of eggs.

To read the article, go to https://www.fws.gov/story/risk-animals-and-their-unusual-eggs.

WHICH CAME FIRST addresses the classic riddle about eggs and chickens.

To read the article, go to https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/which-came-first-chicken-or-egg.

Tech Review: Aquation

AQUATION: THE FRESHWATER ACCESS GAME is an educational game exploring water science issues.

Published by the Smithsonian Institute, this learning game teaches science students about management of global water resources. Participants are asked to develop strategies and make decisions about water science topics such as water desalination plants, natural disasters, and water pipelines. Players begin by choosing a game piece, then select whether they wish to play the tutorial or the game.

Librarians will find that students enjoy learning about water science through this educational game. A text alternative is available for teachers wishing to use a short story connected with the game to jumpstart a water science unit.

The game is available online or through the App Store or Google Play.

To play the game or download the app, go to https://ssec.si.edu/aquation.

Website Review: Interland

INTERLAND: BE INTERNET AWESOME is an engaging web-based game teaching digital safety.

Produced with Google along with Internet safety organizations, this series of games helps children learn to make smart decisions about their use of Internet. The game explores a series of worlds focusing on Internet skills such as sharing with care, dealing with fake information, securing data, cyberbullying, and open communication with parents. In addition to the games, educational materials are available for teachers. Links are also included to more resources.

Librarians will find the game approach popular with students. Teachers will enjoy the standards-aligned curriculum materials focusing on digital citizenship.

To visit the website, go to https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/.

Website Review: The Great Fire of London

THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON website takes users through an interactive journey detailing the famous fire and the impact on individuals and society.

Developed through a partnership including the Museum of London, the website is divided into three sections: Children’s Game, Explore, and Minecraft Experience.

In the Children’s Game section, visitors are immersed in an engaging educational game. The mixture of audio narration, text, and attractive animated sequences are sure to capture the attend of youth. Users follow a couple young people who experienced the multiple day fire. As players work their way through the experience, they learn about primary source materials that document the actual event such as excerpts from Samuel Pepys’ diary. Readers are involved in the experience through active questioning woven throughout the game. Readers can dive deeper into the experience through exploring links to additional information.

In the Explore section, users are taken screen-by-screen through an interactive story that begins with where the fire started and how it spread through London. Other chapters include information about what happened to those who experienced the fire, how the government and world reacted, and how the fire transformed the city. Woven throughout the story are digital objects from the Museum of London and other online collections.

In the Minecraft section, students explore three immersive maps that allow them to explore the City of London of 1666 using Minecraft software. This experience will be particularly popular with youth who enjoy this popular software tool. A Minecraft login is required for use.

A Teacher page provides information for using each section with students. For users wishing to extend the experience, a website provides access to a large digital collection related to the Great Fire that contains objects, artworks, and documents.

Librarians will find this website to be an engaging way to explore world history and also learn about primary source materials found in digital collections. The project is particularly effective in showing how primary sources are used as evidence to better understanding this historical event.

To visit the site, go to http://www.fireoflondon.org.uk/.

Technology Review: Ninja Kitchen

NINJA KITCHEN is a fast-paced, food safety learning game.

Published by New Mexico State’s Learning Games Lab, the interactive helps middle school youth learn about safe food handling skills. Users learn food safety practices and how to prevent food borne illness. As students play the game, they must make decisions about prepping high-risk foods, safe cooking temperatures, and cleaning their workspace.

Ninja master Sensei takes students through a series of levels as they serve customers. Early in the game users learn about the importance of washing their hands and avoiding food contamination. As they work their way through the levels, players learn increasingly complex skills and concepts related to safe food preparation. The music and sounds effects can be turned on and off by users. Players receive money that can be used to purchase items at the store. They also receive rewards that are featured in the Trophy Room.

Librarians will find that this addictive restaurant game is an excellent way to teach the principles of food safety. Work with teachers to create a display that includes food safety books and other activities.

To access the online game, go to http://ninjakitchengame.org/

Website Review: CSI: Web Adventures

CSI: WEB ADVENTURES is a website providing engaging learning experiences focusing on forensic science concepts.

Users work their way through a series of five cases from beginner to advanced levels. The video-rich interactives incorporate characters from the popular television series. Players use real-world tools in a simulated lab to identify clues and complete assignments.

The educator’s section includes guides for teachers and families. It also links to online activities, demonstration videos, and cool links.

The game features area includes additional assistance in using the simulations and background information about the characters.

Librarians will find this app to be a fun way to kick off a forensic science unit with students. Combine the interactive experience with books and hands-on activities in the library. Consider building your own mystery and investigation in the library for students to complete based on what they learned in the online experience.

To visit the website, go to http://forensics.rice.edu/.

App Review: Health IQ

HEALTH IQ from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is an engaging health trivia game.

A scientist emcee introduces a series of quizzes that contain ten questions each. The mini-games incorporate trivia questions and word scrambles. Users choose from three levels of difficulty or a random selection of questions. After answering each timed question, the scientist emcee provides readers with information about the topic and a link to additional information. Topics range from teen driver safety to the importance of sun screen. Photographs are woven into the quizzes to add interest.

Achievement badges are recorded for players who create a free account. Settings allow users to turn off the music, sound effects, and vibrations.

Librarians will find this game to be a fun way to generate interest in health topics. Consider playing the app on a tablet in a display featuring books about health and fitness. The app would also be a fun way to provide background information for youth choosing a research topic. Use the website connections for informational reading activities.

Available as both an Apple and Android App.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cdc-health-iq/id885605342….

App Review: Travel the Silk Road

TRAVEL THE SILK ROAD is an interactive learning app that immerses users in world history.

Developed by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, this learning game asks users to follow the historic Silk Road exchanging goods as they travel from city to city. Each of the five cities along the way provides clues on what to trade. Players follow a map to each city and view images from the city before choosing whether to trade items such as mirrors, bamboo, or silk. If students make poor trading choices, they must go back and try again.

Librarians will find this app to provide an interesting kickoff activity or culminating experience related to the study of the Silk Road. Break students into small groups and involve them in exploring the products of each city along the silk road prior to playing the game.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/travel-the-silk-road/id942509501….

Website Review: Hungry Hiker

HUNGRY HIKER: BUILD-A-MEAL is a short, interactive web-based game from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Users begin by learning about the elements of a balanced meal. Then, players are asked to create a healthy meal. Feedback is provided for users who need aren’t able to build a plate to the required specifications. Students have unlimited opportunities to build a health plate.

Librarians will find this to be a quick and easy web-based interactive to use with students. Place it on a laptop in a healthy eating display along with books and plastic food items where youth can practice building healthy meals.

To try the website, go to http://apps.dmns.org/nutrition/.

App Review: Cave Bro

CAVE BRO by Florida Virtual School is a fun interactive app focusing on healthy food choices.

Developed by the Florida Virtual School, this middle grades app uses a game environment to teach concepts related to choosing a healthy and balanced meal. Players work their way through 25 levels. Each level introduces new foods. In addition to game play, users also learn about specific foods and their nutritional value.

The colorful, attractive graphs and fast-paced games will be a hit with youth.

Librarians will find this to be a fun app to address health and nutrition standards. Collaborate with the health teacher to build activities that connect the app with the ChooseMyPlate.gov website and nonfiction books in the library collection.

Future versions of the program may include an exercise element.

To visit the nutritional facts website, go to http://www.choosemyplate.gov/.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/WebObj…/MZStore.woa/…/viewSoftware… .

App Review: Chemcrafter

CHEMCRAFTER is a science game app from the Chemical Heritage Foundation.

This creative app lets users build a chemistry lab and try out fun experiments. Users drag and drop combinations of chemicals to create amazing reactions. The Chem-o-convertor measures energy released and unlocks new levels. Users collect tools and chemicals to expand their experiments. Characters help guide users through different types of chemical reactions.

Although designed as a game, the app is a great way to spur interest in science. Involve students in logging their results and learning more about the chemicals and reactions used in the game. Create a display of nonfiction books that students can use as resources to learn more about the chemicals and experiments experienced in the games.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chemcrafter/id839552862.

App Review: NOVA Elements

The NOVA ELEMENTS app is a fun way to learn about the periodic table.

Based on the PBS NOVA series, the app provides users three options: explore, play, and watch.

The Explore option includes an interactive periodic table users can explore that provides definitions, images, and background information.

The Play option involves users in playing a game related to the periodic table.

The Watch option shows the two-house NOVA program, “Hunting the Elements”.

Librarians will find this to be a useful app to supplement classroom instruction on the topic of the periodic table.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nova-elements/id512772649.

App Review: Monster Heart Medic

MONSTER HEART MEDIC is an fascinating, interactive, educational adventure game focusing on the cardiovascular system and the importance of healthy habits.

Designed for ages 10-13, the fast-paced game will keep youth interested in learning about the cardiovascular system and how it’s affected by healthy living habits.

Game players are engaged in a quest to collect items related to 37 health fact achievements that are used to become an expert monster medic. Categories include medical exams, monster stories, keep it healthy, travel to medi supply, travel to hospital, travel to park, travel to apartment, and health choices.

Play begins at a fitness center where users are introduced to Ragnar who is training for a marathon. Players are in charge of figuring out what’s wrong with Ragnar’s cardiovascular system by clicking objects on the screen, going to places on the interactive map, and making choices based on readings and medical exams.

Users can choose between English and Spanish languages. They can also turn the music and narration on and off.

The bright, colorful graphics, catchy sounds, and interactive game environment will be attractive to youth. The short scenarios, focused information, and stress on achievements will keep youth interested.

Librarians will want to add this to their health and science app collections.

Download the app at http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/do…/monster_heart_medic

Published by the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Book Review: The Book Scavenger

BOOK SCAVENGER by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is a middle grades adventure filled with quests, clues, and ciphers.

When Emily stumbles upon a strange copy of The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe, she teams up with cipher-solving neighbor James to solve a mystery. However when the pair find themselves tailed by two thugs, they realize their quest has become much more than a book scavenger game.

The author did a stellar job weaving codes and ciphers into the storyline. Although adults will quickly figure out the mystery, youth are likely to be on the edge-of-their-seats until the last couple chapters.

Librarians will find a broad audience for this fast-paced suspense. Use this book as the focus of a display containing both fiction and nonfiction books focusing on treasure hunts, games, codes, and geocaching.

What makes this book particularly fun is the transmedia element. The Book Scavenger game is real and youth can participate by hiding and finding books.

To learn more about the game go to the Book Scavenger website at http://bookscavenger.com/.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.jenniferchamblissbertman.com/.

Published by Henry Holt on June 2, 2015.

App Review: Chicktionary

CHICKTIONARY: A GAME OF SCRAMBLED WORDS is a fun spelling and vocabulary-building word game app. Students create as many words as possible out of seven letters. The game was been around awhile, but the 2014 version has many more levels and options such as timed and untimed modes.

While this free app is geared to elementary students, it’s fun for all ages. Although in-app purchases are an option, they aren’t necessary to play the game. Although the sound can be annoying, it’s easy to just turn it off.

Special chickens, golden eggs, and other surprises make the game fun as children continue to play over time. Bonus letter hints are available so players won’t get frustrated. Another way to avoid frustration is for children to work in pairs or teams.

Ads are displayed between games, but these can be removed by contacting the company about an education edition.

To download the iOS app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/chicktionary-for-ipad/id365374807.
To download the Android app, go tohttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details….

Website Review: Mission US

MISSION US is a “revolutionary way” for 5th-8th graders to learn about American history through immersive, multimedia, interactive games.

The project currently involves three missions. Additional missions are coming soon.

In MISSION 1: FOR CROWN OR COLONY, learners become a printer’s apprentice in 1770 Boston where they encounter both Patriots and Loyalists.

In MISSION 2: FLIGHT TO FREEDOM, students escape slavery as they journey north to Ohio in 1950 during the time of the Fugitive Slave Act.

In MISSION 3: A CHEYENNE ODYSSEY, players take on the role of a Northern Cheyenne child experiencing the encroachment of settlers, railroads, and expeditions.

The EDUCATORS section provides standards-aligned educational materials related to the interactives.

The THINK FAST! game tests student knowledge of history through a fact-paced trivia game. In addition to the website, the THINK FAST! section is available for the iPad and Android Tablet for free.

The Facebook page provides ideas and activities to extend the experience.

To learn more, go to http://www.mission-us.org/.

For the Facebook page, go to https://www.facebook.com/MissionUS.